The Roma

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė (LDK; Grand Duchy of Lithuania; GDL); Tautos; The Grand Duchy of Lithuania; Nations.

ENThe Roma of Lithuania belong to three different ethnic communities. The community of longest standing in Lithuania is that of the Litovska Roma (Lithuanian Roma); the other groups are the Lotfitka Roma (Latvian Roma) living in the areas bordering on Latvia, and the Kotliciry (Kelderara Roma). The Litdvska Roma and the Lotfitka Roma are Roman Catholics, whereas the Kotlidry, who are post-war immigrants from Moldova, are Orthodox. Since Lithuanian independence was reestablished in 1990, several Romani organisations have been founded whose aim is to assist the Roma in coping with the political, social and economical changes now affecting Lithuanian society. Nowadays the most active Romani organisations are the Roma Community Union ‘Roma Mission’ (led by Aleksandras Kasparavičius), the Lithuanian Gypsy Community ‘Gypsy Fire’ (led by Josifas Tyčina), and the Panevėžys Roma Community ‘Nevo drom’ (led by Teofilė Bagdonavičienė). [From the publication p. 98]